After Ruby Tuesday can the Walsh/Mullins team strike again? And what about superstar Sprinter Sacre? Today’s shaping up to be a cracker at Cheltenham.
So, how did Day 1 treat you? With lots of trebles and accumulators coming in, the mood is high here in JOE Towers but the mood in Closutton in Carlow is probably even better.
Willie Mullins’ stable returned three winners (Champagne Fever, Hurricane Fly and Quevega) and a quick look at today’s card suggests that more success could be heading their way.
And don’t forget, to get the best odds and to be in with a shot to win the guaranteed Tote Jackpot of at least £50,000, log onto theTote.com.
John Oaksey National Hunt Chase (1.30)
First off the bat is this four-mile slog for amateur jockeys and a Mullins horse leads the betting. Ridden by son Patrick, Back In Focus is available at 2.9 right now on the Tote and the eight-year-old is tipped up in most papers today.
We expect the price to fall as punters look for the Mullins name in the shops this afternoon so get in quick. For a bit of value, Tofino Bay (5.4) has the stamina to cover the distance and with Nina Carberry aboard it should be worth a euro or two EW.
Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle (2.05)
The first Grade 1 and the favourite is, yep, you guessed it, from Mullins. Pont Alexandre is many folks big tip for the day and with Ruby on board, his current price (2.1) will surely tumble. Two hugely impressive runs at Navan and Leopardstown have made him a favourite here in Ireland. Question is, can he do it at Prestbury Park?
Trying to stop him will be Mouse Morris’ Rule The World. Davy Russell will do the steering and he is raving about the horse. Mouse is a Cheltenham expert and at 12.3 he offers value if you are brave enough to oppose Mullins and Walsh.
RSA Chase (2.40)
Not a thrilling looking line-up for this one. Boston Bob, for you know who, heads the betting but Ruby has chosen Paul Nicholls Unioniste. Both have decent claims but this race is wide open. If we do have a punt here, it may well be on Houblon Des Obeaux EW at 32.5.
Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.20)
This race is all about one horse, the imperious chaser Sprinter Sacre. Unbeaten in seven, Nicky Henderson’s star is 1.2 and expected by all to win. He should and at 11 main rival Sizing Europe may be just too long in the tooth to get anywhere near the Frankel of the National Hunt world.
Champion Bumper (5.15)
An Irish speciality, Mullins has three runners in this but we fancy a Wexford-trained horse, Le Vent D’Antan, trained by Liz Doyle. She trained Cheltenian to win it in 2011 but keep an eye on the Aidan and Joseph O’Brien team’s entry Shield.
Don’t forget, check out theTote.com for all the best odds, especially on those above 7/1, while you can also take advantage of their epic Jackpot and Placepot pools. For more on that, just click here.
And check back here at 12.30pm as we kick off our liveblog covering all the craic, news and winners from Day 2.
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